(Eagle News) — Explosions were reported in two Lanao del Norte towns a day before the February 6 plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law ratification, raising tensions in the province set to decide whether to be included or not in the new autonomous region.
According to the initial reports, explosions rocked the town of Kauswagan, particularly at the back of the municipal building, and the town of Lala.
Authorities are now investigating the incident which occurred a week after the deadly Jolo blasts that killed more than 20 people and injured at least a hundred others.
More than 2,000 soldiers and policemen are set be deployed in Lanao del Norte alone to secure the February 6 plebiscite.
The situation is especially tense in the province where the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is actively campaigning for a “yes” vote so the entire province will be covered by Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) under BOL.
Lanao Del Norte Governor Imelda “Angging” Dimaporo is, however, campaigning for a “no” vote in the BOL plebiscite.
Earlier, Abdullah Macapaar, also known as Commander Bravo of the MILF’s Northwestern Mindanao Front command had warned of possible violence if the “no” votes would win.
In a video message posted on social media, he had urged the people of Lanao del Norte to vote “Yes” to the BOL.
“Nakikiusap ako na tayo ay magkakaisa sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran sa pamamagitan ng pagboto ng ‘yes’ para sa inclusion ng anim na munisipyo ng Lanao del Norte sa ARMM front. Huling pananawagan at paki-usap ito sa inyong lahat dahil dito nakasalalay ang kinabukasan ng ating mga anak at ng Lanao del Norte”, said Bravo who added that he would consider it as a debt of gratitude if the Lanao residents would vote for BOL.
But he said that a “No” vote means a denial of their right to live peacefully.
“Ang pagboto ninyo ng NO ay isang paglapastangan sa aming karapatan na makapamuhay ng mapayapa at tahimik. Huwag ninyo kami bigyan ng dahilan na ipagpatuloy namin ang paghawak ng armas at pagtanim ng galit sa inyo, ayaw namin ng gulo”, he said.
His legal counsel, Atty. Salahoden Benhamza, however, downplayed this apparent threat by Commander Bravo.
“Kung tutuusin natin, iyong birthplace niya ay hindi nasama sa core territory na isasama sana sa BARMM, pero bumigay siya ng compromise alang-alang sa kapayapaan,” Benhamza said.
